Special elections rarely get the sort of national media attention that the Massachusetts Senate contest has drawn, with discoveries about the GOP candidate implying the President may have been born out of wedlock and opposing education reform,
but local special elections have a major impact on our immediate geographic area, which is what makes the contest between Jason Engbrecht, Mike Parry, and Roy Srp in
Minnesota Senate District 26 so interesting despite being overshadowed.
Late Start
The three candidates met in a moderated Forum last week, and the result was revealing even though lingering questions about
Parry's tweet-gaffes didn't make it to the fore. Srp was late to arrive, but the crowd and the other two candidates were forgiving while the Waseca Mayor made his way to Faribault City Hall. The three addressed the well-attended forum for slightly over an hour.
If you overlook Roy Srp's tardy arrival, both he and Parry exhibited superior political performances, careful to hit the talking points they had prepared, even when those didn't necessarily directly address the question the moderator had posed.
Srp
Srp, for instance, relied on the theme that he's neither a Democrat nor a Republican, and that the current problems in the district and the state were attributable to Democrats and Republicans, so voters should give him the seat instead - although he avowed that both Parry and Engbrecht were actually independent thinkers, as well -- but likely to fall under the influence of their respective endorsing parties once faced with bills to vote upon in the course of doing legislative business at the State Capitol. On the other hand, Roger Srp came close to endorsing Engbrecht when addressing a question about educational policy, saying he'd likely consult with Jason.
Parry
Parry, citing both time in politics and extensive experience as a small business owner, sought to stand out from his opponents by his experience making hard decisions, such as firing employees. He avoided suggesting there were any questions he'd need to consult with others to evaluate, no matter how complex.
Parry gave direct answers to some questions, such as nuclear power (all three candidates are in favor, Srp and Engbrecht went to greater lengths to explain what informed their position,) and
exhibited the deft verbal agility of a veteran politico on most potentially sticky issues (with the notable exception of reproductive choice, which both he and Roy Srp openly oppose.)
Engbrecht
Engbrecht appeared to give more substantive, spontaneous, and detailed replies in most cases, citing the impact of his work on energy, for instance, or his time on the Faribault school board as shaping his understanding. If the St. Olaf professor aspires to stay in politics long-term he may want to learn to polish his responses down to sound-bites, but one can't expect a college professor to pass up the chance to provide substantive information when asked about issues he's passionate about, such as health care, education, and the environment.
Engbrecht's campaign approach seems more focused on policy positions than on his personality, and the vigor his volunteers are showing with the doork-knocking, phone-banking, and distribution of literature may just pay off next Tuesday.
January 26, 2010:
Election in MN Senate District 26
Without the benefit of polls, I'd say Engbrecht's likely the dark horse. But it's not easy to distinguish Parry and Srp in most ways other than Srp's mentioning he'd consult with Engbrecht - both are graying veterans of local Waseca politics - so the presence of an Independent candidate may just split Waseca-area votes that would ordinarily go to the Republicans, thereby allowing the DFL candidate's vigorous efforts to win the seat long held by Republican Dick Day, who deserted it mid-term to become a pro-gambling lobbyist.
